Enhancement of the Mechanical Properties and Fretting–Corrosion Wear of Biomedical Magnesium Alloys Using Laser Shock Processing Technology

Abstract

The magnesium alloy ZK60, which is processed using laser shock processing technology at different laser energies, is examined. Finite element modeling of the laser shock processing technology was carried out to study fretting–corrosion wear of the magnesium alloy ZK60 in an environment simulating body fluids (Hank’s balanced salt solution, HBSS). The mechanical characteristics and fretting–corrosion wear of the magnesium alloy before and after processing using the laser impact hardening technology were investigated. The results showed that the maximum reduction in fretting corrosion wear using the laser impact hardening technology was approximately 73.4%. It is shown that this technology can be applied successfully to reduce the rate of corrosion and fretting–corrosion wear of ZK60 magnesium alloys operating in the HBSS environment.